Editorial
Despite the comedic liberties taken in the above headline, there is nothing inherently funny about the fact a majority vote is up for grabs at the table of three of a county’s major taxing entities. As one of the primary functions of any legislative body is to control tax rates and the subsequent spending of tax dollars, the results of the upcoming November Elections can have a significant impact.
There are 15 seats across two school boards and a city council, and while each of these elected positions comes with no pay, the duties of those offices represent millions of annual tax dollars, and it is easy to spend other people’s money. Who we elect to those positions will matter to those who share that tax burden.
I am often asked that with as much as I complain about government operations, why don’t I consider seeking election for those offices. Something to consider is that if elected to office, an individual is still only a single vote, and it requires a majority to get something passed.
This often results in serious debates among officials when trying to sway that majority, restating facts bearing on issues and sharing perspectives to support opinions.
Although not representing a vote on any table, I have a platform to state facts and present my opinions on issues affecting the communities this newspaper serves, and I don’t have to consider being re-elected. A newspaper editor leaves because of termination, resignation, or death — otherwise, it’s a lifetime appointment.
Government is a slow process on purpose, especially when considering the use of public funds, so for those of you considering a run for office, thinking that once elected people are going to see some changes around these places, you are standing at an intersection of reality and the “land of the perpetually unoffended,” where Republican’s think of the downtrodden, Democrats generate sustainable revenue, and the DMC editor shares nothing but glad tidings.
Choose your path. But be warned: Both lead to the same truth in those most worthwhile changes are probably going to take at least a four-year term to accomplish. The result is that often enough, we continue electing lousy leaders that perpetuate mediocrity because change is hard, and conviction is rare.
Whether you seek election with eyes and ears open or shut, those with an axe to grind should proceed with caution. Perhaps you’re saying, “I’m going to run for office, and if I get elected, I’m going to make sure — insert name here — gets fired.”
If you truly want to ‘Go to the mattresses’ with another public official, employee, or administrator, I say:
“Welcome to the fray,” but it only ends one of two ways, success or failure. When meeting defeat, officials will sometimes take a spoonful of humility, and move on with efforts to make wise decisions for the remainder of their term. Not usually though. Most of the time they either serve out the rest of their term in silent acquiescence or throw in the towel and resign under a cloud of self-created controversy. For those who are successful, now what? You fired so-in-so, congratulations. What plans are you looking at in preparation for next year’s budget? There are a lot of important seats out there and time still left to convince potential candidates to seek office, and I encourage everyone to do so. Otherwise, I fear we might end up with officials who make decisions based on how many likes they get on social media.